Anyone taking beta blockers for high blood pressure?

[bif]

My doctor just prescribed one for me. What's it like? Any side affects? I can't read the script well but it's something like Atenolol 50mg.

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. Beta Blockers are known to cause depression .....

in some people, so be aware and if you start feeling depressed, let your doctor who prescribed the BB's quickly.

Have you already tried diuretics? Did they not lower your BP enough?

[bif]

2. I haven't tried anything yet

But this is what he prescribed, so I'm going to listen to him. My blood pressure is quite high.

[The empressof all]

3. Atenenol works well for me.

I have had no side affects and I am usually touchy with meds. My doc tells me that in general this is a very good, effective and in-expensive medication. I've been taking it now for about a year after I had a hyper adrenalin reaction which shot my usually low blood pressure up to stroke levels very rapidly. I'm good now.

[curlyred]

4. works for me

I take 25 mg of atenolol twice a day, but I did experience a lack of energy at the beginning. either I got used to it, or it went away.

[Dimsdale]

5. Google atenolol...

and you'll find an assortment of sites discussing side effects. I'm taking 25 mg. together with Monopril. Definitely lowers bp more than Monopril alone. The first two weeks were a bit of an ordeal at times. Some bouts of dizziness and nausea. Fatigue and a feeling of being slightly disconnected from my immediate environment (neurological side effect) were mixed in there somewhere as well. This drug also increased my sensitivity to cold, which isn't a problem at the moment (90 degrees, 90% humidity). Gastrointestinal effects? Let's just say that constipation isn't a problem. Atenolol's also known to worsen depression.


If you start on atenolol, don't stop taking it abruptly if you don't like what it does for you. Talk to your doctor right away.

[KT2000]

6. Watch for mood alterations

Some people do well with these drugs but some do not. Doctors cannot always be counted on to admit these drugs can have very adverse effects on some people.

I took BB and when it did not lower my BP. the doctor kept increasing the dose. I ended up a depressed mess and the doctor would not admit the drugs had anything to do with it.

My elderly neighbor was prescribed these. She started confusing her dreams with reality and in short order went into hallucinations, disorientation by time and place. It has pretty much finished her off - it was the straw that broke the camels back.

A friend of mine takes them when needed for nervousness and does well.

Just watch for mood alterations and if the doctor tries to ascribe it to "stress" - quit taking them!

[MissMillie]

7. I take Atenolol

25mg/day

It's helped my blood presure.

I'm surprised to hear about depression side-effects, as my doctors throughout the years I've been on Atenolol have also prescribed antidepressants. I wonder why they didn't consider trying a different blood pressure med if depression is an issue w/ this one.... ?

[Paranoid_Portlander]

8. Metoprolol (Toprol XL) is much better than atenolol.

Atenolol, for me, is very nasty stuff. It made my mind feel like it was in a warm, wet, smothering blanket for exactly 28 hours for each dose. I no longer take it, and have switched to metoprolol, which is also a beta-blocker, just as effective. The side effects are still there but much milder.

[TX-RAT]

9. Lowered my blood pressure to much

Got to felling bad, my wife took my blood pressure it was 70 over 50

[bif]

10. I'll keep an eye out for the depression side affect

My doctor said, if it made me feel like crap, to cut the pills in 1/2 and try that.